Should I baptize a dying child against the parents' wishes?

[atheistgirl]

I simply know in the heart of my soul where Jesus is that my hands would and will and do reach out to that baby/ And I know also that that would bring peace to you, IF you allowed it to.

Please read this is general terms, rather than ‘‘you’’ meaning ‘you’ personally:

There is a presumptiousness there that is simply astounding. No, it would not bring peace to me, it would leave me feeling you have delibrately violated my child and my wishs in persuit of what you, personally, think is the right thing to do.
That’s your business, but you have no right what so ever to act on that and inflict your beliefs and practices on someone who does not what them.

If trust is God’s mercy is so sure and strong, then leave it to God’s mercy, if that’s what you believe in.

And I could no more hold back from that than stop the sun from rising.

I do not want to talk about you personally, so Im addressing the content implicit in the above when I say, if I saw someone do this to my child, I would have them arrested for assault.

 

[meltzerboy]

In the one case, youre simply saying a mental prayer for that person. That would between you and your god.
In the other, you are deliberatrely and calculatingly bringing that person by the performance of a rite, into your faith and church, expressly against the wishs of the parent/s.
There is a world of a difference in my view.

Sarah x

I agree. Although not exactly the same, it would be similar, according to Judaism, to having a dying male infant–Jewish or otherwise–circumcised. I realize, of course, that circumcision would not be performed in these circumstances, as it is even postponed due to an infant’s ill health, as well as being restricted only to a Jewish (or Muslim) infant. And it is not required for salvation. However, like baptism, it is a very significant religious rite bringing a Jewish child into the Covenant. Going against the parents’ wishes, while it may be allowed (not obligated) by the Church, would be insulting to the child’s parents, especially to non-Catholics. Saying a prayer to G-d, on the other hand, without imposing one’s faith on the child, is a different matter. Even this action, if done in clear view of non-believing or non-Christian parents, might be regarded as insensitive to their needs at the moment.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Baptism is a sacrament not a magic spell. As Catholics we do not believe “Once baptized, always saved.” The church teaches that there other ways for an unbaptized person to be saved, especially in extreme circumstances. And particularly a child under the age of reason.

I would not baptize against the parent’s explicit wishes. You could certainly ask if they’d like to see the hospital chaplin (priest or other), you can pray for the child in your own prayer time, but to perform a rite as a talisman is not truly following Catholic beliefs.

 

[zab]

Baptism is a sacrament not a magic spell. As Catholics we do not believe “Once baptized, always saved.” The church teaches that there other ways for an unbaptized person to be saved, especially in extreme circumstances. And particularly a child under the age of reason.

I would not baptize against the parent’s explicit wishes. You could certainly ask if they’d like to see the hospital chaplin (priest or other), you can pray for the child in your own prayer time, but to perform a rite as a talisman is not truly following Catholic beliefs.

Mrs Sally points out a good reason why we need not fear to trust in the mercy of God-- that there are other ways for an unbaptized person to be saved. There is baptism by blood, baptism by desire and I trust that God hears the prayers of those who pray for that innocent child. The salvation of the millions of innocent lives that have died of natural deaths or have been slaughtered through abortion or other terrorist activities does not depend on any action from us. We should not fail to trust in the mercy of God towards these innocents even though they were born with original sin on their soul as our belief states.